this is the cradle of democracy for virginia and america. governor thomas jefferson designed this capitol building. governor patrick henry came here for the laying of its cornerstone. i am humbled today to follow in their historic footsteps. the general assembly first convened in this new building during the first term of america's first president and my favorite, virginia's george washington. [applause] behind me in the pro tunda are the busts of the eight virginians who became president of the united states. it was here that robert everyone lee, the son of a governor, was commissioned as the young nation split into war. it was here just four years later that president abraham lincoln came to begin the process of reuniting a war-torn nation, walking the streets of a still smowldering richmond. it was here 125 years after lincoln's visit that a grandson of slaves, l. douglas wilder took the oath of office as the nation's first african-american governor. [applause] and it is here today that an average middle class kid from fairfax county, the